'Mister Muster' packs his swag

GYMPIE’S “Mister Muster,” sometimes also known as Brian Sansom (right), is packing his swag and heading off into the sunset towards the end of this year, as the region’s most famous event marks the end of an era.

But Mr Sansom said yesterday it would also be the beginning of a new one, which would continue the Muster’s traditions of community involvement and support. Mr Sansom’s old job as Muster co-ordinator will get a new title, with advertising at the weekend for a chief executive officer.

“It’s been a very interesting 29 years that we’ve been involved with the Muster,” he said.

Brian Sansom says he is looking forward to a slightly more relaxed lifestyle when he parts company with the Muster organisation.

But he says he will keep on keeping on with his Tent City Hire business which now hires tents to festivals and events around Australia.

And the Muster itself will keep on being a product of Apex, the service club through which Mr Sansom became involved.

“The Tent City Hire business is still growing, so I’m not really retiring as such,” he said yesterday.

“We’ve had a good journey since Day One and as Apexians from 1988-89.

“I then came in as co-ordinator in 1989.

“We accidentally found ourselves in the accommodation business when we did the Waltzing Matilda Centenary at Winton in 1995, working for the State Government.

“It’s been a very interesting 29 years that I’ve been involved in the Muster.

“I wouldn’t swap it for anything, with the rewards that come from working with such a successful community project.

“But the success is due to everyone’s efforts and contribution.

“It’s a community effort and that’s the secret.

“The community does it and the community benefits.

“Apex own the event and always have. That’s been the secret of it,” he said.

The advertisement for Brian’s replacement says the Muster “has grown since 1982 to become one of Australia’s premier music events, attracting 60,00 visitors annually.” It says the Muster looks forward to “new levels of growth and professionalism”.